Spring-clasp



(No Model.)

2 SheetsSheet 1. E. S SMITH.

SPRING CLASP. No. 311,536. Patented Feb. 3, 1885.

n PLTERS. Plat/Void 2 Sheets- Sheet 2.

E. S SMITH.

SPRING CLASP.

(No Model.)

Patented Feb. 3, 1885.

wmm w. Washmgglon, u c.

NITF

Parent rrica EDWARD S. SMITH, OF V ATERBURY, CONNECTICUT.

SPRING-CLASP.

LBPECIFLCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 311,536, dated February 3, 1885.

Applicalion filed December-5,1864. (No model.)

To all whom, it vita/11 concern.-

Be it known that I. EDWARD S. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vaterbury, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Clasps, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to spring-clasps such as are commonly used for the securing together of the two parts of a garmentas a glove, the quarters of a shoe, or of fixing in place the loose part of a curtain, 850.

In the drawings illustrating the same, Fig ure 1 is a side elevation of the clasp with its holding-lever engaged with an attaching-plate and closed. Fig. 2 is a like view of the clasp open. Fig. 3 is a like view of the clasp partially open. Fig. 4is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the clasp closed and holding in place the attaching-plate. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the parts in that position. Fig. 6 is a plan View of the swinging lever. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the body of the clasp, and Fig. 8 of the lower body-plate.

The object of this invention is the production of a clasp which may be easily opened by an upward forward movement of its swinging lever, communicated by lifting the rear end thereof, while any tendency to such opening movement exerted by the draft upon the attaching-plate when the parts are closed shall be completely resisted.

The invention consists, primarily, in the construct-ion of the swinging lever so that its bearing-shank or holdback is brought in advance of the pivot, while its bearers that engage the spring are madeto overlie said pivot, and in combinations of the various parts, as will be more particularly hereinafter pointed out.

The structure consists of a body composed of a base-plate, A, and a top plate, 13, either orboth of which may be made of spring metal. The top plate, 13, has the general conformation shown in Fig. 7, whereby are provided a cross-bar, 2, and side arms, 3 3; and the base-plate A has a similar construction, but it, in addition, is provided with a bar, 4, that connects the forward ends of arms corresponding with the arms 3, one of which arms, 5, is seen in Figs. 1, 2, 3 .andthe opposite one, 5, in Fig. 4, and both in Fig. 8. constitutes the pivot upon which the holding lever H swings, and one or the other of said plates has its arms bent, so as to provide a slight space between the arms 3 and 5 for the reception of the bearers 6 of said holding-lever; or this space might be provided by slightly bending all of the said arms. These plates are secured together by a rivet or other means, (as doubling a single plat-6,) so as'to cause them to act as a spring when the bearers 6 are forced or lie between their slightlyseparated arms 3 5. The holding-lever H has a long curved arm, that is bent at right angles at its forward end to form the bearing-shank or holdback 10, against which one of the loops of the attaching-plate 1? may bear, as is best shown in Fig. 4, and this right-angular portion is turned rearward, upward, and forward to form a knuckle, K, (see Figs. 4 and 6,) which embraces the pintle 4. The lateral dimensions of this tongue at its forward end are such that it may swing between the op posite arms of the plates A B, forming the Th is-cross-bar 4 body of the clasp, and may otherwise have any fanciful form desired. The upper leaf of the knuckle has lateral projections, which constitute fiat bearersfi, that project far enough to enter between the arms 3 5 of the plates B A in the closing manipulation of the clasp.

The body of the clasp will be provided with any means for securing it to the part of the article which is to carryit-suoh, forinstance, as a strap passing over the bars 2and the attaching-plate P will be similarly secured to a part of the article to be fastened.

Assuming the clasp to'be in use and standing open, as in Fig. 2, its holding-lever Hwill swing loosely upon the pivot or pin'tle 4, and while capable of swinging loosely thereon its rearward position will be limited by engagement of its bearers 6 against the under side of 9 5 the arms 5. In this position the attachingplate 1? may be readily entered onto the holding-lever and be secured thereby by swing= ing the lever rearward. In this movement said lever will freely swing to the position shown in Fig. 3, at which time the rearward edge of its bearers 6 will bear against the under side of the arms 3, whileitsknuckle snugly hugs the pintle 4. A further movement of the lever rearward will cause its bearers 6 to force the arms 3 5 apart and admit the entrance of the bearers between said arms. These arms will move apart until the center of motion of the moving bearers passes, and thereafter the arms will move toward each other until the holding-lever rests upon the body of the clasp, as in Fig. 1, when the bearers will rest directly above the pivots (it may be slightly rearward of the pivots) and be lightly gripped between the arms, thus maintaining the holding-lever from displacement by any force less than that required to overcome the springpower of said arms. As the liability of such displacement is not great it is practical to provide these arms with light spring-power, so that a moderate lifting pressure exerted upon the tail of the holding-lever will open the clasp and release the attachingplate 1?. In thus raising the holding-lever H the rearward edge of the bearers 6 again bears upon the under side of the arms 3 and forces the arms 3 5 apart, and asthe lever approaches the positionshown in Fig. 3 the bearers pass out of contact with the arms 3, as in Fig. 3, whereupon the lever will freely drop to the position shown in Fig. 2 and readily release the attaching-plate P.

In thus constructing the holding-lever its holdback 10 is brought into such relation to its pivotal point that the draft of the attaching-plate upon the lever is transferred directly to the pivot and exerted in nearly a right line, by reason ofwhieh great resisting power is exerted against any tendency of the lever to open after it is closed to hold the plate. By locating its bearers 6 over or rearward of the pivot the tendency of the lever to open is also greatly lessened, while the flat-like form of said pivots aids the clamping action of the arms in producing the contrary effects.

By doubling the plate composing the holding-lever in the form shown great economy in the structure is accomplished.

WVhat is claimed is 1. A spring-clasp consisting ofa body havmg arms 3 3 and 5 5, and a pivot, 4, and a holding-lever provided with a knuckle, K, bearers 6 6, and a holdback, 10, forward of the pivot, substantially as described.

2. The combination of an attaching-plate, P, with a spring-clasp consisting of a body having arms 3 3 and 5 5, and a pivot, 4, and a holding-lever provided with a knuckle, K, bearers 6 6, and a holdback, l0, forward of the pivot, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the body of a Springclasp, of a holding-lever consisting of a metal plate shaped and folded to provide the knuckle K in the rear of its holdback l0, and its bearers over its pivotal point, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

l EDWARD s. SMITH.

Vi tnesses:

H. T. MUNsoN, T. H. PALMER. 

